NFL, EA agree to extension of Madden video game franchise

Mden franchise will continue to be a part of gaming universe for at least next six years.

NFL owners on Thursday approved an extension of ir deal with Electronic Arts, continuing a relationship that has existed for 30 years. It was also recently approved by NFL Players Association.

current contract was set to expire after 2021 season. extension means that EA Sports will continue to be league's exclusive publisher of football simulation games through 2026.

EA Sports Executive Vice President Cam Weber said both sides h been talking for months. Many wondered what future of relationship might be after 2K Sports signed an agreement with NFL in March to produce n-simulation games.

current edition of Mden has seen a 30% increase in unique players. According to Electronic Arts, more than 330 million hours of game have been played since it was released last August. company has also seen large increases in game play during past couple of months as people have been confined to ir homes because of coronavirus pandemic, with many tournaments taking place among friends and on television.

Rachel Hoagland, league’s vice president and he of gaming and esports, said keeping Mden franchise at core of ir video gaming strategy was important, especially with emergence of new platforms and gaming systems. Sony and Microsoft have anunced new generations of gaming consoles that are expected to debut by end of year.

“EA has done a nice job of ensuring game matches experience during a game week. new techlogy will allow richer content and d more realism,” she said.

Mden NFL 21 will come out in early August with first looks at game coming next week.

Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes was last year's cover athlete. Baltimore quarterback and reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson said in April that he would be on cover this year, but EA Sports has t me an anuncement.